The Rockies sure aren't acting like a team knee-deep into some Lego rebuilding project. Wednesday brought another jarring roster decision, continuing a series of moves that have created a different prism from which to view this season.

"We are trying to win. That's the bottom line," said Rockies assistant general manager Bill Geivett.

So five days after Jon Garland was cut and 10 weeks after parting with Chris Nelson, Eric Young Jr. was designated for assignment to make room for relief pitcher Chris Volstad.

Protecting the pitching staff is the priority at this point, because there's underlying trust that the team will hit. In that sense, Wednesday was a disappointment. The Rockies were muzzled by Ross Ohlendorf, falling 5-1 to the Nationals.

It was an odd, eventful day. Haze hung over Coors Field, a reminder of the fires ravaging parts of the state. There were members of the Rockies organization whose families were evacuated. At one point, the air quality raised questions whether the game would be delayed.

A hour before the first pitch, the team agreed to a $4.8 million signing bonus with top draft pick Jonathan Gray, the Oklahoma ace. As his news conference concluded, Young scooted down the hallway, the lights dimming on his Rockies career.

Even with a reshaped lineup that included Tyler Colvin — Michael Cuddyer (ribs) is expected to start Thursday — the Rockies had no answer for Ohlendorf, who has spent a lifetime providing them.

He's Princeton educated. Before Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn made the idea popular, Ohlendorf served an internship with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2010. He shared a cramped office space and had no qualms about taking the Metro.

So perhaps it should come as no surprise that he clawed his way back to the big leagues. He made his season debut with the Nationals a memorable one, working six innings while allowing just two hits. He did it in a place where he once took a line drive off the forehead and with a swinging arm pitching motion that looked more suited for an extra throwing to Roy Hobbs.

Jorge De La Rosa heads for the dugout after being removed from the game in the sixth inning at Coors Field. More photos. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

Only Carlos Gonzalez's swing prevented a shutout. He lined a triple into the right-center field gap in the sixth inning. Troy Tulowitzki followed moments later with a moon shot that drifted just foul down the left-field line. He flied to deep center and fired his helmet in disgust at first base, a moment that perfectly captured the Rockies' offensive struggles.

"He was good. He made adjustments. He had a good fastball and mixed it up," Tulo said of Ohlendorf.

It spoiled a respectable outing from Jorge De La Rosa, whose start was in jeopardy as late as Tuesday because of a cut on his left middle finger. He allowed three runs in five-plus innings, exiting after 96 pitches.

Concern about his finger and Tyler Chatwood's triceps injury motivated the move to add Volstad. The Rockies' bullpen has been spewing smoke coming from the hood for a few weeks. Edgmer Escalona's elbow injury, which isn't believed to be serious, has left the group further compromised.

This could be Jeff Francis' last start with the Rockies. Roy Oswalt pitches Friday for Double-A Tulsa in potentially his final tuneup before his call-up. Oswalt is going to replace someone, and Francis represents the low-hanging fruit that could be picked from the rotation. Francis understands he has to improve. He lasted only four innings Saturday, pitching at a pace that would make a turtle blush. That can be effective, but not if he's unable to complement his fastball with a sneaky changeup. Francis has a 6.91 home ERA this year. Ross Detwiler, who returns from the disabled list after an oblique injury, has been hit hard by Todd Helton and Troy Tulowitzki, who are a combined 5-for-10 against him.

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